You Can Have These 6 STIs And Not Know It

Updated Nov 4, 2024 | 08:00 PM IST

SummaryWe've broken down six common STIs that can be asymptomatic, as well as preventative and treatment guidelines to help you take control of your sexual health.
Sexually Transmitted Disease

Although the medical profession has made gains in encouraging open discussions about sexual health, many people continue to be hesitant to discuss sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) with their doctors. While these conversations may be difficult, they are crucial in protecting your health and that of your partner(s). Many STIs show with no symptoms, causing people to unintentionally carry infections that can lead to major health consequences.

Here, we've broken down six common STIs that can be asymptomatic, as well as preventative and treatment guidelines to help you take control of your sexual health.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Characteristics: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection that can create warts in the anal and vaginal areas, but typically causes no symptoms. While many people's immune systems naturally eliminate the virus, specific HPV strains have been associated to malignancies of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, and throat.

Treatment and Prevention: Safe sex practices and regular screenings, such as Pap smears, can help find HPV early. Additionally, the HPV vaccine protects against high-risk types that might cause cancer. Consult your healthcare physician to determine whether immunization is appropriate for you.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Characteristics: HIV suppresses the immune system by attacking immune cells. While some people have flu-like symptoms early on, HIV can commonly advance with few or no symptoms, silently destroying the immune system.

Treatment: While there is no cure for HIV, antiretroviral medication (ART) can help people control their infection and live healthier, longer lives. ART inhibits HIV, allowing the immune system to heal itself. If you are sexually active, particularly in high-risk scenarios, you should have regular HIV screenings.

Genital Herpes

Characteristics: This viral STI frequently manifests as persistent sores or ulcers on the vaginal or anal sites. However, many persons with herpes are asymptomatic and may unintentionally spread the virus to sexual partners.

Treatment and Management: While there is no cure for genital herpes, antiviral medicines can help lessen the frequency and intensity of outbreaks. These drugs help reduce the likelihood of transmission, giving patients more control and peace of mind.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea

Characteristics: These bacterial infections are typically asymptomatic, particularly in women. When symptoms appear, they may include irritation and discharge in the vaginal or rectal areas. Untreated infections can spread to the reproductive organs, potentially causing infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and pregnancy difficulties.

Treatment: Antibiotics can cure chlamydia and gonorrhea, but early detection is critical. Regular screenings can keep these illnesses from causing long-term harm and lower the chance of spreading to sexual partners.

Syphilis

Characteristics: Syphilis is characterized by its mild early indications, which might include painless blisters and rashes on the palms and soles. If left untreated, syphilis can cause long-term harm to the brain, heart, and other organs. Syphilis can be very hazardous to pregnant women, potentially resulting in stillbirths or serious health problems for newborns.

Treatment: If detected early, syphilis can be treated with medications, most often penicillin. Early detection is critical, as untreated syphilis can have serious, life-altering consequences.

Why Should I Be Screened for STIs?

STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are becoming more widespread across the United States. Sexually active people can benefit from STI testing, which can detect infections before they become more serious. Screening recommendations will vary depending on age, sexual activity, and lifestyle, so consult your healthcare physician to find the appropriate regimen for you.

Factors that Increase STI Risk

Certain habits can increase the likelihood of developing a STI, including:

  • Having unprotected sex
  • Engaging in sexual activities with several or new partners
  • Having anonymous sexual interactions.
  • Using recreational drugs, which can reduce inhibition and lead to dangerous practices.

Preventing STIs: What You Can Do.

Taking precautions to avoid STIs is critical, particularly in non-monogamous partnerships. Using condoms and other preventative measures can significantly lower your risk. Communicate freely with your partners about sexual health, and consider frequent screening as an important part of your healthcare routine.

Take Charge of Your Sexual Health

While it may be frightening to discuss sexual health with your doctor, honest dialogue can make a significant difference in detection and prevention. Make screening a priority if you have any concerns about your symptoms or believe you are past due. Being proactive is a courageous step in protecting your health and that of your partner(s).

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Coffee Health Benefits Affects Your Body The Most When You Drink It At This Time

Updated Jul 6, 2025 | 02:00 PM IST

SummaryCoffee has many health benefits and many people like their morning coffee as soon as they wake up. However, it may be smart to wait till 11 am.
Coffee Health Benefits Affects Your Body The Most When You Drink It At This Time

(Credit-Canva)

For many people coffee is the beginning of their day. It tastes good, it's routine, and it gives a boost of energy. Coffee has good things in it, like antioxidants, and it can help you focus and even improve your mood. But now, more people are thinking about their hormones and how their body deals with stress and sleep. So, there's a growing interest in how coffee actually impacts our bodies as a whole.

Best Time to Have Your Coffee

Studies show that having coffee between 10 AM and 11 AM works better for most people. This way, it helps with energy without messing up your sleep later. The Cleveland Clinic explains that drinking coffee around 9:30 am and 11 am helps you reap the most benefits. People who wait about 90 to 120 minutes after waking up before having their first coffee often have more steady energy and better hormone balance throughout the day.

Some people find that drinking too much coffee can lead to high stress hormone levels. When they cut back to just one cup a day, their stress hormones got better, and they slept much more soundly.

Also, having coffee on an empty stomach might make your stress system work harder. This isn't good if you're already stressed or dealing with hormone imbalances, as you might be extra sensitive. So, it's a good idea to eat something before you have your morning coffee.

How Much Coffee Helps Your Health?

You might already know that drinking a moderate amount of coffee—around three to five cups a day—has been linked to living longer. Research has also hinted that when you drink your coffee could play a big role in these benefits. A study published in the National heart, Lung and Blood Institute found that adults who enjoyed their coffee before noon saw the biggest drop in their risk of dying early from any cause, including heart problems.

To figure this out, researchers looked at nutrition information from over 40,000 adults in the U.S. who were part of a long-term health study. About half of these individuals, 52%, drank coffee. Out of those, more than a third (36%) drank their coffee only in the morning, while the rest (16%) drank it throughout the day.

After accounting for various other health factors, the study found that adults who stuck to drinking coffee between 4 a.m. and noon were 16% less likely to die from any cause over nearly 10 years, compared to those who didn't drink coffee at all. Even more impressively, they were 31% less likely to die from heart disease. These benefits didn't apply to people who drank coffee all day long.

Coffee and Women's Cycles

For women, drinking coffee during the second half of their menstrual cycle (called the luteal phase) can make PMS symptoms worse. This is because coffee increases a stress hormone when the body should be relying more on a calming hormone. Many women say they feel much better hormonally if they stick to just one coffee a day during the first half of their cycle and completely cut it out during the second half.

The main point isn't just about coffee itself. It's about how coffee mixes with your own body, your stress levels, your sleep schedule, and your hormones. Some people can handle it fine, while others might feel worse over time without realizing coffee is part of the problem. So, like with many things, you should pay attention to what works and what doesn't work for your unique body and its hormones.

Why Morning Coffee May Be Better

The researchers think there are two main reasons why morning coffee might be so beneficial:

Better Sleep

Drinking caffeinated coffee earlier in the day, instead of in the afternoon or evening, is less likely to disrupt your sleep. Good sleep is crucial for your overall health, especially for your heart.

Anti-Inflammatory Boost

Coffee has properties that fight inflammation. These effects might be strongest in the morning because that's when inflammation levels in your body can be at their highest.

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Heart Health And Risk Of Early Death Found To Be Lower In People Who Scored Low In These 8 Choices

Updated Jul 6, 2025 | 12:12 PM IST

SummaryHeart health is one of the biggest health concerns that people face as they age. Knowing what does and what does not affect your health can really change the trajectory of your health journey.

(Credit-Canva)

Heart health is one of the most pressing matters for our health. Many people do not realize how even small habits like what time you wake up or go to sleep can have a negative effect on your heart. However, studies are showing that a good way to ensure your heart health stays intact is by scoring less on the essential health list.

A recent study published in a medical journal called the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology shows a strong link between following Life's Essential 8 (LE8) habits and your risk of getting atrial fibrillation (AFib), a serious heart problem. If you don't score well on these eight important health measures, your risk of AFib could almost double. But, if you embrace these habits, you can greatly lower your chances of getting this potentially deadly heart rhythm issue and also reduce your overall risk of dying.

Understanding Atrial Fibrillation

Your heart has two main parts: the top chambers and the bottom chambers. In AFib, these parts don't beat together properly; they get out of sync. It's like a drummer playing off-beat. This condition affects over a million people in the UK and is a big reason for one out of every five strokes. Strokes caused by AFib are often more severe, meaning they can lead to more deaths and greater disabilities. A big problem with AFib is that it often doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms. This means people might not even know they have it until they suddenly have a stroke.

Tracking Habits and Outcomes

Researchers followed 3,161 people, all aged 45 or older, for ten years. During this time, they kept an eye on their LE8 habits. What they found was quite clear: if someone had a low LE8 score, they had a higher chance of getting AFib. If they had a high score, their risk was much lower. Interestingly, if someone had an average (intermediate) score, it didn't seem to make a big difference in their risk of AFib. Over the course of the study, 424 people passed away, and 410 were diagnosed with AFib.

What are Life's Essential 8?

LE8 is like a checklist or a report card created by the American Heart Association (AHA). It helps us understand eight key things we can do every day to keep our hearts healthy. Think of them as eight daily choices that can make a big difference. These eight habits are:

  • Food
  • Physical activity
  • Nicotine
  • Sleep
  • Weight
  • Cholesterol.
  • Blood sugar
  • Blood pressure

Key Habits for AFib Prevention

When the researchers looked at each of the eight habits separately, they discovered that three of them had the biggest impact on a person's risk of getting AFib: weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. This means these three are super important for preventing AFib. Surprisingly, in this specific study, habits like sleep, cholesterol, smoking, and physical activity didn't show a strong individual link to AFib risk. This doesn't mean they're not important for overall health, just that their direct connection to AFib risk wasn't as strong in this study.

Future Implications and Recommendations

The researchers hope that what they've learned will encourage doctors and other healthcare workers to talk to their patients about making changes based on the LE8 guidelines. They also pointed out that more studies are needed to see if specific actions or programs related to these habits could further change a person's risk for heart problems.

To get a high score on the LE8 assessment as an adult, the American Heart Association suggests you should:

Eat well

Fill your plate with whole foods, lots of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, nuts, seeds, and healthy oils (not tropical ones like coconut or palm oil).

Stay active

Aim for at least 2 and a half hours of moderate exercise (like brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise (like running) each week.

Don't smoke

Avoid all forms of nicotine, including cigarettes and vaping.

Get enough sleep

Try to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep every night.

Manage your weight

Keep your Body Mass Index (BMI) in a healthy range.

Control blood pressure

Keep your blood pressure at good levels, usually less than 120 over 80 (written as 120/80 mm Hg).

Lower cholesterol

Aim for low cholesterol levels, ideally less than 5 mmol/L.

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The Worst States In America For Your Lung Health, Map Reveals Areas With Highest Risk

Updated Jul 6, 2025 | 09:08 AM IST

SummaryIndiana ranks worst in the U.S. for lung health due to high smoking rates and poor air quality, while Colorado and Hawaii lead with cleaner air and stronger anti-smoking policies.
The Worst States In America For Your Lung Health, Map Reveals Areas With Highest Risk

Credits: Canva

A new analysis has revealed alarming disparities in lung health across the United States, placing a spotlight on states where breathing may be more dangerous than elsewhere. From poor air quality to high smoking rates and weak anti-smoking policies, the report, conducted by Opera Beds using data from the American Lung Association, EPA, and other sources, paints a concerning picture—particularly for residents in the Midwest and South.

According to the report, Indiana ranks as the worst state for lung health, followed closely by Ohio and Alaska. Meanwhile, Colorado and Hawaii top the list as the healthiest places for your lungs. So, what’s driving these differences? And what can be done to protect our lungs—no matter where we live?

Why Lung Health Is a Critical Concern?

Lung health isn’t just about breathing a little easier—it’s tied to survival. Millions of Americans suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and lung cancer, with respiratory illnesses killing thousands every year. Lung disease doesn’t always show symptoms early on, and by the time it does, it can be deadly. That’s why public health experts stress the importance of early prevention—and why where you live might matter more than you think. Opera Beds compiled its rankings using multiple factors that influence lung health:

  • Smoking prevalence
  • State-wide smokefree air policies
  • Ambient air pollution levels (PM2.5)
  • Climate factors like temperature and humidity

The final scores ranged from 4.04 to 9.11 out of 10.

The 10 Worst US States for Lung Health

Indiana landed at the bottom with a score of 4.04, driven largely by a high adult smoking rate of 16.2%, well above the national average of 11%. Making matters worse, only 31.5% of Indiana's population is covered by comprehensive smokefree indoor air laws—meaning many Hoosiers are still exposed to secondhand smoke in public places.

Following Indiana were:

Ohio (4.72)

Alaska (4.79)

Pennsylvania

Michigan

Nevada

Tennessee

Louisiana

Mississippi

Kentucky

These states tend to have a combination of lax tobacco laws, higher-than-average pollution levels, or climates that exacerbate respiratory illness. Alaska, for instance, faces unique challenges from wildfire smoke and extreme seasonal fluctuations, while states like Nevada struggle with dry air and particulate pollution from desert regions.

The Healthiest US States for Lungs

At the other end of the spectrum, Colorado and Hawaii each earned a top score of 9.11, thanks to low smoking rates, strong public health protections, and generally cleaner air.

“According to our data, the West Coast is the best place to live in the U.S. in terms of lung health,” Opera Beds noted. “Six of the top 10 states are located on the western side of the country... suggesting that those on the West Coast may be less likely to develop respiratory conditions like COPD.”

Other top-performers included New Mexico, Washington, Oregon, and Vermont, with many of these states also benefiting from investments in clean energy, stricter smoking laws, and higher public awareness about air quality.

Interestingly, California presents a mixed picture. Despite facing high levels of air pollution in urban hubs like Los Angeles and the Central Valley, it still made the higher end of the ranking. Thanks to comprehensive tobacco control policies, strong public health infrastructure, and efforts to reduce vehicle emissions.

This suggests that policy intervention can significantly offset environmental risk factors—something other states should take note of.

What You Can Do To Protect Your Lungs?

Even if you live in a high-risk state, there are steps you can take to guard your lung health:

1. Quit Smoking (Or Don’t Start)

Cigarette smoking is still the number one preventable cause of lung disease and cancer. Smoking inflames and narrows airways, destroys lung tissue, and can trigger chronic conditions like emphysema and bronchitis.

2. Get Regular Lung Checkups

Don't wait for a serious cough to get evaluated. Regular checkups help detect early signs of lung problems. Ask your provider to monitor your breathing, especially if you have a history of smoking or environmental exposure.

3. Stay Physically Active

Exercise improves your lung capacity and helps oxygen circulate more efficiently. Brisk walking, swimming, or even light aerobic activity can support long-term lung function.

4. Limit Indoor Pollutants

You might not realize it, but indoor air can be more polluted than what’s outside. Reduce your exposure by using air filters, ventilating well, and avoiding products with harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances.

Be aware of mold, radon, and secondhand smoke—major triggers for respiratory disease.

5. Watch Outdoor Air Quality

On days when pollution levels spike, especially in summer, limit time outdoors—particularly near roads. Use resources like AirNow.gov to check your area’s daily air quality index (AQI).

This isn’t just about red states or blue states. It’s about air, policies, and health outcomes that affect every breath we take.

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